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Wordfest works with approximately 200 volunteers every year. Volunteers assume a variety of roles that contribute to the success of the Festival, including working in teams during Wordfest and year-round support in the Wordfest office and at special events.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please complete the online registration form. If you have any questions about volunteering, please email volunteers@wordfest.com
Benefits
- Free access to most Wordfest events when space is available
- 50% off tickets that are purchased in advance*
- Free volunteer t-shirt
- Complimentary snacks and beverages in the Volunteer Hospitality Suite
- Volunteer wrap party following the Festival
- Opportunity to participate in a world-class literary event and network with other literary enthusiasts
*Tickets must be purchased for yourself only and does not include special events or workshops
Festival Volunteer Positions
Artist Liaison
Artist Liaison is often the first direct contact artists have with the Festival. Members of the Artist Liaison crew welcome and provide critical information to authors upon their arrival. Artist Liaison crew members may also be responsible for escorting artists to their events. Crew members work very closely with the Transportation crew, Wordfest staff and Wordfest authors. Familiarity with Wordfest, Festival venues and the downtown core is an asset.
Book Rapport
The First Calgary Financial Book Rapport program is the educational component of Wordfest. For five days each October, Book Rapport hosts an eclectic mix of talent, bringing the ideas and words of great writers alive and up close to youth in Calgary and Banff. In 2013, approximately 10,000 students attended Book Rapport programs.
Volunteers for the Book Rapport program are responsible for meeting with school groups at Wordfest venues and being available to assist students, teachers and parents before during and after Book Rapport events. Basic French is an asset as there is some cross-over with Festival des mots events. Volunteers should enjoy working with children and must pass a security background check.
Book Sellers
Book Sellers are responsible for setting up the Wordfest bookstore as well as selling books before and after events. Book sellers will be responsible for accurately inputting sales into a user-friendly tablet software as well as handle cash and credit. Retail or sales experience is an asset.
Festival des Mots
Festival des Mots hosts emerging and award-winning Francophone writers from across Canada and French-speaking countries.
Volunteers for this crew should be comfortable communicating in French and should enjoy working with youth as there is some cross over with the Book Rapport program. Volunteers working children’s events will be required to pass a security background check.
Floaters
Not sure which crew is right for you? Floaters are not assigned to a specific crew and may be placed in multiple different positions throughout the festival. Floaters may also be “on-call” to fill in for last minute cancellations or other spur of the moment opportunities. Floaters are generally a mix of new and veteran volunteers with flexible schedules and a willingness to help out in many different areas.
Front of House
The Front of House crew assist with audience care, including greeting, ticket taking, ushering, crowd control and enforcement of house rules.
Hospitality
The Hospitality team manages the Volunteer Hospitality suite ensuring snacks and beverages are properly stored, served and disposed of. The Volunteer Hospitality suite is also where volunteers come to hang out in between shifts, eat a meal and play games. Experience in the food industry and/or completion of a food handling course is an asset.
Production/Stage Managers
The Production/Stage Management crew assists backstage at events helping with set up and strikes. Other duties include stage management and troubleshooting throughout the Festival. Some heavy lifting may be required for this position. Stage management experience an asset.
Transportation
Wordfest needs daytime drivers to get very important people picked up from the airport and safely to their events. We provide the vehicle; you provide the license. Our driving territory includes UofC, Calgary Airport, Inglewood, the downtown core as well as the occasional out of town and Banff trips.
Transportation crew members must be over 25 years of age (for insurance purposes), have a valid class 5 license with a clean driving record and the ability to interact with artists in a friendly, respectful and professional manner.
Marketing Crew
The Marketing team is responsible for distributing Festival guides, posters and handbills to local businesses and communities. Wordfest will identify hot spots to hit throughout the fall and send out a call for volunteers to help deliver to these areas. Materials can be quite heavy, but it is up to volunteers if they want to walk, cycle or drive, and they must provide their own transportation. Volunteers will also be asked to report on how many items were delivered to each location as well as return any unused materials.
In addition to distribution, this crew will be responsible for administering and collecting patron surveys and contest entries during Festival week. Every year, Wordfest takes the pulse of the Festival audience with a fun survey to fill out after events. Volunteers participating on this crew should enjoy engaging with the public and promoting the survey and contests, while gaining on-the-ground marketing experience.
Banff
Volunteers for Banff Wordfest events are coordinated through The Banff Centre. If you wish to volunteer for events in Banff, please contact volunteers@wordfest.com and your information will be given to the Banff Centre Volunteer Manager who will contact you in September. Most Banff volunteers live in the Bow Valley Region, however, Calgary residents are welcome to help out, but must supply their own transportation and accommodation.
Operation Office Move (October 14 & October 20)
Pack ‘em up and move ‘em out! The Wordfest office moves twice – first, the office packs up and travels over to the Westin Hotel and our main venue. At the end of the Festival we move it all back to the Wordfest office. We need strong individuals who are willing and able to lift heavy objects to support this essential move. Each move takes between 2-4 hours depending on the amount of help. Volunteers with trucks, vans and cars are greatly appreciated!
Off-Festival Volunteer Positions
Wordfest is always seeking volunteers who are available to help with a number of tasks and projects throughout the year.